In this Dec. 5, 2008 file photo, O.J. Simpson speaks during his sentencing at the Clark County Regional Justice Center courtroom in Las Vegas. Simpson is heading back to the Las Vegas courthouse where he was convicted of leading five men in an armed sports memorabilia heist to ask a judge for a new trial because, he says, the Florida lawyer he paid nearly $700,000 botched his defense. The return of O.J. Simpson to a Las Vegas courtroom next Monday, May, 13, will remind Americans of a tragedy that became a national obsession and in the process changed the country's attitude toward the justice system, the media and celebrity. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken, Pool, File)

In this Sept. 9, 2008, file photo, O.J. Simpson, center, arrives at the Clark County Regional Justice Center on the second day of jury selection for his trial in Las Vegas. Simpson is appearing in court on charges which include burglary, robbery and assault following an attempted robbery at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on September, 2007. The return of O.J. Simpson to a Las Vegas courtroom next Monday, May, 13, will remind Americans of a tragedy that became a national obsession and in the process changed the country's attitude toward the justice system, the media and celebrity. The return of O.J. Simpson to a Las Vegas courtroom next Monday, May, 13, will remind Americans of a tragedy that became a national obsession and in the process changed the country's attitude toward the justice system, the media and celebrity. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, John Locher, Pool, File)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson is back in a Las Vegas courtroom to ask for a new trial in the case that sent him to prison in 2008.

The former football hero and a new set of lawyers hope to convince a judge during a hearing that began Monday that trial lawyer Yale Galanter (gah-LAN'-ter) had conflicted interests and shouldn't have handled Simpson's armed case.

Simpson appeared in court wearing a blue jail uniform. His hair was short and grayer than it was during a previous court appearance in 2008.

He entered the courtroom in handcuffs, flanked by guards and nodded toward people he recognized in the second row.

Simpson is serving nine to 33 years in a Nevada prison. He's due to testify Wednesday.

Galanter is scheduled to testify Friday. He is declining comment before then.

Simpson says that Galanter knew ahead of time about his plan to retrieve what he thought were personal mementoes from two sports memorabilia dealers at a casino hotel room in September 2007.

Simpson also says his lawyer never told him a plea deal was on the table.

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